Murray Bartlett is known for his recent portrayal of Frankie in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us,’ but he also has a diverse television career that spans various genres — from soap operas to dark comedies. Here are seven of Bartlett’s best TV shows if you liked his role as Frankie.
7. All My Children – IMDb: 6.8
An American soap opera, ‘All My Children‘ aired from 1970 to 2011 on ABC and briefly online in 2013. Bartlett joined the cast as Julian Sinclair in 2002. Set in the fictional suburb of Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, the show was a groundbreaking daytime drama in the 1970s. At its peak, it enjoyed top ratings and a diverse audience, including a male viewership. However, the series had a decline in viewership in the 2000s, leading to its cancellation.
6. Welcome to the Chippendales – IMDb: 7.3
Based on the book ‘Deadly Dance: The Chippendales Murders,’ ‘Welcome to the Chippendales‘ premiered in 2022 on Hulu. It tells the story of Chippendales’ founder, Steve Banerjee, with themes of ambition, crime, and tragedy. The series received critical acclaim, securing five Primetime Emmy nominations. Bartlett played the role of Nick De Noia, contributing to the show’s 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Tales of the City – IMDb: 7.4
Based on Armistead Maupin’s novels, ‘Tales of the City‘ debuted on Netflix in 2019. This drama miniseries revisits characters from previous adaptations, with Bartlett portraying Michael ‘Mouse’ Tolliver. The show, which won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited Series, explores themes of identity, community, and relationships. It received an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. Looking: The Movie – IMDb: 7.5
Serving as the finale to the HBO series ‘Looking,’ this movie premiered in 2016, with Bartless reprising his role as Dom Basaluzzo. It follows Patrick, who returns to San Francisco for a wedding, revisiting past relationships and finding closure. The film had a positive critical reception due to its depiction of modern gay life in San Francisco.
3. The White Lotus – IMDb: 7.9
In this dark comedy-drama anthology series created for HBO, Bartlett plays Armond, the manager of the White Lotus resort. His performance in ‘The White Lotus‘ earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor. The series, set in a fictional resort chain, is on the lives of its guests and staff, revealing complex psychosocial dynamics. The first season received a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. Looking – IMDb: 8.2
‘Looking,‘ which aired on HBO from 2014 to 2016, is a comedy-drama focusing on the lives of three gay friends in San Francisco. In the show, Bartlett portrayed Dom Basaluzzo, a 39-year-old sommelier. Following its release, the series was lauded for its fresh take on LGBT-centric narratives. Despite critical acclaim, the show was canceled after two seasons due to low ratings, leading to the makings of ‘Looking: The Movie.’
1. The Last Of Us – IMDb: 8.8
Bartlett starred as Frank in ‘The Last of Us,‘ a post-apocalyptic drama series on HBO. Based on the popular video game, the series is set in a world devastated by a fungal infection. Bartlett’s character is a survivalist living in an isolated town. ‘The Last of Us’ has been nominated for multiple awards, including 24 Primetime Emmy Awards, and had a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
